One mystery novel we likely will not see is Who Killed the Pay Phone? (because it is no mystery). The pay phone industry has been in rapid decline. As of March 31, only 150,000 pay phones remained, down from 2.1 million in 1999. Last month New York announced that it will replace 6,400 remaining pay phones with digital kiosks. If you find it hard to locate a pay phone, the declining number is likely why.

Checkout Survey Results

From mid-April to mid-November, the survey check out patrons indicated:

53 percent that they use the Beach Library more than in the past and 40 percent the same as in the past. Only 7 percent indicated they use the library less than in the past.

When describing the library, 45 percent indicated it's a hub of community activity, a place with lots and lots of books and a place where they can relax and be inspired. 20 percent like the description "a place where I can relax and be inspired" and 16 percent "a place with lots and lots of books." Only 9 percent would use a different description.

Short-Term Email

Do you get tired of endless spam in your email? Do you see an address to get information or special offers or one-time needs but don't want to really give out your email?

Dispostable.com is an answer to those needs. It gives you a short-term email on the web. It gives you three days to receive emails that contain activation or download links and to reply to emails that ask for confirmation.

This is an email that you get to pick....ending in @dispostable.com. After three days, it's gone. Any new emails sent to that address will be automatically deleted.

During the three days you can not only receive email at this address, but you can reply, forward or save the message. Advantages include not having to sign up and give out personal information. Plus, no password is required.

People Make the Library

One of the things that makes the Beach Library a special place are the people who watch over, care about, add to and look for those touches that reflect the blessings and benefits of what caring is all about. In a media world where we are bombarded with sensational happenings and evil that humans do to one another, it's easy to be cynical and think the world is going to hell. On the other hand, it is the everyday caring that truly makes this a special place.

Holidays

You will notice that holiday trees are decorated this week, with one in the Library Commons on the third floor and one in the display area on the second floor. All of the festive creations are hand-made or donated. We appreciate this festive touch and is an example for the above about what makes this a special place.

The sand gallery on the third floor will also get a festive atmosphere as the days of December move forward.

Classic Mysteries

A few weeks ago I talked about a few mystery titles that have earned the status of being a classic as they are checked out so often and seem to remain in constant demand.

A few more that can be included in that category are Agathie Christie's And Then There Were None (LP M CHR). There's a reason only Shakespeare and the Bible have seen more printings. This work by Christie is the perfect locked-room mystery even if the locked room is an island.

A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George (M GEO) includes both British (the solutions of Holmes and Poirot) and American (subtle darkness of Highsmith and Archer) strands of mystery.

Kazuo Ishiguro in Never Let Me Go knows that mystery goes deep to the heart of human experience, and in this work he offers readers much.

Vacuuming

The library is blessed with volunteers who do some of the regular cleaning on some of our busy days. One regular cleaner who concentrates on doing vacuuming on each floor is gone for the holidays. If you'd be able to work a few hours in your schedule for this vacuuming during these weeks, please see me for details. Thank you.

Library Hours

When we are closed, the hours of operation are included in a recording when you call in. Stop by on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.; on Wednesday between 9 and 7; and on Saturday between 9 and 1. We look forward to seeing you.